Classical Music in NYC This Week

Mahan Esfahani rehearsing before a performance last August in Manhattan.

Tina Fineberg for The New York Times

By DAVID ALLEN

March 16, 2017

Our guide to the city’s best classical music and opera.

‘AIDA’ at the Metropolitan Opera (March 23, 7:30 p.m.; through April 20). The Met’s vast, inimitable production of Verdi’s “Aida” returns for its second run of the season, with a wholly changed cast. Krassimira Stoyanova is the new Aida; Violeta Urmana, Amneris; Jorge de León, Radamès; George Gagnidze, Amonasro; James Morris, Ramfis; and Morris Robinson, the King.212-362-6000, metopera.org

AKADEMIE FÜR ALTE MUSIK BERLIN at Zankel Hall (March 23, 7:30 p.m.). Titled “Foreign Affairs,” this program of Telemann, Bach, Handel, Vivaldi and Rebel could be seen as celebrating separate national traditions in 18th-century composition. But, in the hands of one of Europe’s most vibrant period-instrument ensembles, it perhaps better shows diversity in unity, as styles merged and cultures mingled.212-247-7800, carnegiehall.org

MAHAN ESFAHANI at the 92nd Street Y (March 21, 8:30 p.m.). As combative, provocative and sincere an advocate for his instrument as any soloist I know, Mr. Esfahani was once called a “harpsichord ninja” by the BBC. This program shows why, veering happily from the English Renaissance (Tomkins, Farnaby) to the 20th century (Cowell, Kalabis), and even into the rarely explored literature for harpsichord and electronics (Reich).212-415-5500, 92y.org

ELINA GARANCA at Carnegie Hall (March 19, 2 p.m.). We are in the realm of the Romantic with this recital from a star mezzo-soprano and her pianist, Kevin Murphy: songs by Brahms, Rachmaninoff and, most luscious of all, Duparc.212-247-7800, carnegiehall.org

TRISTAN PERICH at the Kitchen (March 17-18, 8 p.m.). An innovative user of electronics, Mr. Perich will receive a composer portrait over two nights at this Chelsea institution, and he will have new-music royalty along to give the performances. On Friday, there’s the premiere of an untitled piece for piano duo (DUO X88) and speaker drivers, as well as performances by the American Contemporary Music Ensemble and the quartet Dither. Saturday offers Mariel Roberts playing “Formations” for solo cello, and So Percussion and the JACK Quartet presenting a revised version of “Sequential.”212-255-5793, Ext. 11; thekitchen.org

MIAH PERSSON AND FLORIAN BOESCH at Zankel Hall (March 22, 7:30 p.m.). A Schumann recital with a difference, shared between Ms. Persson, a sublime acting soprano, and Mr. Boesch, an incessantly probing baritone. Value for money, too, with 33 lieder on the bill, including songs from the “Liederkreis” and “Frauenliebe und -leben.”212-247-7800, carnegiehall.org